Kate Maki

Kate Maki is easy-listening folk and country-rock at its best. Her songs exude the free spirit, fly-by-your-pants attitude that songs birthed from jamming in the kitchen with friends do.

Prior to becoming a professional musician, Maki studied neuroscience at Dalhousie University (Halifax), and taught junior high school in Ottawa. However, after releasing her debut album, Confusion Unlimited, in 2003, Maki’s sudden popularity insisted that she record her follow-up immediately. Thus came 2004’s The Sun Will Find Us. This February, Maki released a third album, On High, which shows off a maturity, both musically and lyrically.

The sound of Maki’s first two albums had a twangy, almost bluegrass sort of feel. “Out Back,” off her debut, fits the bill of the timeless, highway driving sing-along. And while songs off her latest album still keep Maki’s down-to-earth, home-girl charm and honky tonk piano, songs like “White Noise” and “Beyond the Sun” have the confidence to be bare and minimalist, yet very soulful and sad.

See Maki on her 33-day tour across North America for some comforting, easy-listening sounds. For a complete list of tour dates, check out Maki’s website at www.katemaki.com.